SJPD officer in 'good spirits' after being shot; suspect dead
SAN JOSE, Calif. - San Jose police on Thursday said one of their sergeants is in good spirits and recovering in the hospital after being shot by a gunman during a multi-city shooting spree that ended with officers killing the suspect.
Police said the injured officer is expected to make a full recovery.
Police said they are still waiting to release the names of the suspect and the injured officer.
What we know:
According to San Jose police, officers initially followed a man accused of stealing a car from a dealership on Wednesday while armed with a gun. Police helicopters tracked the suspect about 50 miles south to Hollister, where local officers located the vehicle and began a slow-speed pursuit.
Authorities said the suspect’s car eventually broke down, and he got out and opened fire on Hollister police officers. He then ran from the scene and encountered San Benito County sheriff’s deputies, firing additional shots. No officers were injured during those encounters.
The violence stemmed from an armed carjacking at a dealership in San Jose at 900 Capital Expressway. Jan. 21, 2026
Chaos at San Pedro Square
Police said the suspect then stole another car and drove back toward San Jose, firing at California Highway Patrol officers along the way.
The pursuit ended near San Pedro Square in downtown San Jose, where police said the suspect crashed into a patrol car and began shooting again, striking a San Jose police sergeant. Another officer struck the suspect with a patrol car to stop the shootout, police said. The suspect was pronounced dead at the scene.
Police shooting kills suspect, shuts down I-80 in Hercules: sources
The California Highway Patrol on Thursday shut down all westbound lanes of Interstate 80 in Hercules after a police officer shot and killed someone, according to two sources.
Officer expected to recover
San Jose police spokesperson Jorge Garibay said the sergeant’s injuries are not life-threatening and that the officer is expected to survive.
"Fortunately, we just got a recent update that injuries are not life-threatening, and the sergeant is expected to survive," Garibay said. "We’re very thankful for the staff that provided rapid and urgent critical care, and we’re thankful for the news that he’s going to survive."
The downtown San Jose scene remained secured for hours following the shooting. Several motorists who were stuck in traffic said they witnessed the gunfire from inside their vehicles and took cover to avoid being hit.
Local perspective:
Some witnesses said they had to abandon their cars overnight and returned the next day to retrieve them, describing themselves as being in shock.
"It’s one of those things you wish you could not have in your memory," said witness Raymen Lopez. "At a moment’s notice, I was just ducking. I didn’t want to get hit by a stray bullet, but it’s the world we live in."